Sm My Valentine, under jockey Eduardo Nicasio, drives to victory in the Grade 2 $260,000 PCQHRA Futurity at Los Alamitos on Sunday.

© William Zuazo

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–SEPTEMBER 14, 2025–After more than 15 years as a Quarter Horse owner at Los Alamitos, Santos Montemayor enjoyed his first major futurity victory after the 20-1 longshot SM My Valentine, a Kiss My Hocks gelding he owns in partnership with Omar Torres, outdueled fastest qualifier Toby Sis to win the Grade 2, $260,000 PCQHRA Breeders Futurity on Sunday at Los Alamitos.

Racing program post number 10, SM My Valentine was fast out of the gate, then a few strides away from there he bumped with the trailing The Lady Is A Vamp. SM My Valentine began to drift in after the contact but never gave up the lead and eventually crossed the wire a neck in front of Ed Allred's Toby Sis.

Ridden by Eduardo Nicasio for trainer Adan Farias, SM My Valentine was picking up his first win in six starts. Bred by Montemayor, SM My Valentine earned $105,000 to take his career earnings to $109,922 while covering the 350 yards in :17.72.

Santo Montemayor, Jr. with the PCQHRA Futurity stakes trophy, jockey Eduardo Nicasio, and trainer Adan-Farias in the winner's circle. © William Zuazo

Runner-up to The Lady Is A Vamp in a trial to the PCQHRA Breeders' Futurity, SM My Valentine is out of the Apollitical Jess mare Jess Master, who Montemayor campaigned in 2015 and 2016.

Jess Master won once and hit the board twice in her 11 career starts. SM My Valentine showed potential well before his Breeders' Futurity trial, as he ran third to fastest qualifier Shiny New in a trial to the Grade 1 Ed Burke Million Futurity.

Two races later, he missed breaking his maiden when running second by a ½ length to 26-1 longshot On The Sky Is Cash.

SM My Valentine did not miss this time around, while giving Montemayor a night to remember.

Sm My Valentine in the saddling paddock at Los Alamitos Sunday night. © William Zuazo

The long-time owner has enjoyed some great wins over the past few years. He is part of the partnership that owns Mask Mandate, who won the Governor's Cup Derby last year, and he's also part-owner of Beyond Repair, which had the fastest qualifying time to the Grade 2 Robert Adair Kindergarten Futurity, ran fifth in the final, and then won the Fred Scane Handicap on June 8.

With Farias, Montemayor has campaigned SM Jess Corona, who was part of the Kaweah Bar Handicap and Moonist Stakes and qualified for the Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes last year. 

"We've had horses together for a very long time," Farias said. "Now that we came back again, (he) sent me some horses. We got lucky that we qualified with this horse and then when we drew the 10 (post), I felt that we had a chance. I've been lucky from the 10 hole, always. I've had horse that we maiden and won big races off of the 10 hole, just like he did tonight."

Following the early bumping between SM My Valentine and The Lady Is A Vamp, the California Horse Racing Board stewards posted the inquiry sign, but no change in the official order of finish was made.

"At the beginning I was worried but when I saw the replay I saw my horse broke out and then the nine horse followed me so I thought that maybe I didn't have anything to do with it. He was veering in but he didn't get in front of another horse and he didn't bump into another horse. I thought that we would be fine. Since the beginning this horse showed he had ability and little by little he got better. He was drawing the inside and he was still doing well but I was hoping to draw outside for this race and we did. That made a difference."

"This race means a lot," said Farias, who was away from racing for several years. "It means the world to me. I love Los Alamitos. I've been here all my life since I was a kid. I had team for a long, long time. When I came back, they decided to come back with me. I love my people. I'm happy to have this team. It's paid off, look at today, we got this win. Antonio Alonso, he's been with me for a long, long time, over 20 years if not longer."

Toby Sis, a full sister to Grade1 London Toby, earned $42,500 for finishing second. Ridden by Gabriel Lara for trainer Scott Willoughby, the Favorite Cartel filly won her first three career starts prior to this race.

Dennis Jensen and Randy Young's Elemyntal bumped throughout this race, but he still came through late to finish third. Ridden by Armando Cervantes for trainer Ramiro Castillo, the filly by Freighttrain B earned $30,000 for her gutsy effort.

Cowboy Country 123, Run Dont Walk, Fancy Upp, Rich Flex, Doodah Cartel, Mastros, and The Lady Is A Vamp completed the field.    

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For more information, please get in touch with larace@losalamitos.com. You can also follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @losalracing or visit us online at www.losalamitos.com.

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